Geography – Curriculum intention
At Thoresby, our Geography curriculum is evidence- led. We have researched sources that include the Ofsted Research Review in Geography (June 2021), The Ordnance Survey research on the teaching of mapping skills, The Education Endowment Fund and the Geographical Association.
Our aim can be summarised in the following quote from Dr Paula Owens (Ordnance Survey);
“A high –quality geography education should inspire a pupils curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.”
We follow the National Curriculum in what to teach and draw from research about enquiry learning approaches in how to teach it.
Knowledge-led curriculum
Our geography curriculum builds a core knowledge and understanding that enables pupils to make sense of new information. It offers ample opportunities to talk and discuss so that pupils can relate new learning to what they already know. The content is carefully constructed and sequenced taking into account the themes, concepts, places and skills required and the local context to which our pupils belong.
Rationale for the Geography curriculum at Thoresby
We take into account;
- The pupils’ past curriculum experience, including the impact of COVID on their earlier geographical knowledge.
- The context of the local area being inner city, close to the coast with rivers and a major estuary.
- Topical events and new technologies such as conservation, environmental impact and new sources of energy
CURRICULUM REVIEW
We regularly review curriculum plans to ensure they reflect the latest best practice and research. We also review their effectiveness and ultimately the impact on pupils’ learning.
DETERMINING THE IMPACT OF THE GEOGRAPHY CURRICULUM
The impact is determined simply by the extent to which pupils get better at Geography, knowing more and remembering more. We measure this by;
* How fluent they become and their world knowledge.
* Their ability to extend from the familiar and concrete to the abstract.
* Their ability to make sense of the world and the connections between people, places, processes and environments.
* Their ability to work with more complex information about the world.
* Their increasing range and accuracy of investigative skills and ability to apply these with increasing independence.
Additional support, resources and information:
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My daughter has been coming here since nursery and has always loved the school, she is doing really well in all her subjects and I couldn’t be happier with her progress.
Thoresby gives me the opportunity to have a great education. The topics are great!
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This school offers varied education in an environment with so many children from so many parts of the world, and do it very well you see happy smiling children every day! Hats off to this school!
My daughter enjoys all aspects of school life, she involves herself in many activities and represents the school in various team sports. We are pleased with all her progress.
Thoresby is a special place.
My son has loved attending Thoresby. He takes the Thoresby values with him and has turned into a lovely boy. I know the school has contributed to him.
Excellent communication from the school. Amiable, knowledgeable and caring staff. A strong school with an impressive ethos.
My daughter is making great progress at Thoresby. Overall I am very pleased with every aspect.
Thoresby management team ensure that the school is inclusive and forward thinking. I have always been impressed by the way this school is run and continue to be – especially their dedication to child protection and wellbeing programmes.
Thoresby is amazing! Everyone is made to feel welcome and part of the community. I’m so happy that my son gets to attend this school.
I think Thoresby is a very good school. My boys always enjoy coming to school. The teachers are very helpful ad friendly.
My daughter has had a fantastic education at Thoresby and her teachers have supported her emotional development as well.
My son and daughter are both very happy at Thoresby. The staff are approachable and helpful and the children are offered a good variety of different opportunities.
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All three of my children have been taught at Thoresby with my youngest leaving this year. I have fond memories of Thoresby over the years and found staff helpful and very supportive.
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I would like to say that both our children – daughter in year 4 and son in year 6, enjoy attending their lessons and their topics they are being taught.
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